Taiwan included in travel ban over nCoV threat

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2020 02:45:58 +0000

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced Monday night the expansion of the travel ban to include tourists from Taiwan.

“We have confirmed with the Department of Justice, which is our mother department, that Taiwan is indeed included in the expanded travel ban,” Morente stated.

It can be recalled that last February 2, the BI implemented an order from President Duterte in banning all foreign nationals coming from China, as well as its Special Administrative Regions.

In said order, any passenger of any nationality who has been to China, Hong Kong, and Macau within 14 days before coming to the Philippines shall automatically be denied entry.

Only Filipino citizens and aliens with permanent resident visas from said countries may be allowed entry.

According to the BI, permanent resident aliens are those who were issued immigrant visas under the Philippine immigration act, those who are residents following the alien legalization program under EO 324 or the alien social integration program under RA 7919, holders of native born visas; aliens who acquired permanent resident status by reasons of marriage to a Filipino, and aliens with approved refugee status.

However, questions from different agencies sought clarification if Taiwan is included in the ban.

“While not explicitly stated, we have confirmed with the Secretary of Justice that Taiwan is indeed part of the ban, and this expansion shall be implemented immediately,” said Morente.

The same was earlier announced by the Department of Health.

Morente announced that the travel ban will be implemented immediately, and will follow the same procedure.

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